Assistant Counsel

The New York State Education Department's (NYSED) Office of the Professions is seeking to fill (2) positions of Assistant Counsel in its Office of Professional Discipline (OPD). The Office of Professions regulates over 50 professions licensed by the New York State Board of Regents. Under the direction of the OPD management and a supervising attorney, the incumbent will participate in the development and review of investigations into allegations of professional misconduct. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Participate in the development and supervision and review of investigations into allegations of professional misconduct;
• Provide legal advice to OPD investigators and members of the various State boards for the professions; engage in settlement negotiations in professional misconduct cases;
• Prepare for hearings and try before panels of the various state boards professional misconduct cases, including summary suspension hearings, moral character cases involving individuals seeking licensure, and restoration of license cases involving individuals whose licenses have been previously revoked or surrendered;
• Manage a significant caseload and assist in the training and guidance of attorneys in the downstate offices of the Office of Professional Discipline, especially in the areas of serious or complex misconduct by licensed professionals and summary suspensions of professional licenses;
• Represent OPD before the Regents Review Committee, which reviews decisions of hearing panels in professional misconduct cases and will be expected to research and prepare well-written briefs, memoranda of law, specifications of professional misconduct, other legal pleadings, internal memoranda and correspondence;
• Manage effectively and timely caseloads, as well as, courteously and effectively interacting with members of the Board of Regents, various State professional boards, other SED staff, opposing counsel, witnesses and members of the public;
• Supervise staff attorneys in various OPD offices, including reviewing written work, assisting the staff attorneys in the preparation of their cases, ensuring that the staff attorneys are effectively and timely managing their caseloads, provide assistance during hearings, and assist in the ongoing training of other OPD prosecutors as needed; and
• Assist, on occasion, and as directed by management, with networking with other New York State law enforcement and state agencies handling similar cases or work as OPD.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Candidates must be admitted to the New York State Bar AND have six years of relevant, post-graduate experience, including significant trial work or administrative hearing experience, demonstrating progressively responsible experience in such areas, in addition to significant supervisor experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Preference may be given to candidates who have familiarity with the licensed professions, significant trial work or administrative hearing involvement, and experience interpreting and drafting laws and regulations.